Edit: I wrote this post and based on the comments in the thread, I'm going to go back and rewatch it. I commented on this, but I think people are just reading the OP and not the other posts and responding:
Original post for posterity:
Last month's Academy Awards had one very big winner. The comedic social commentary "Parasite" won 4 very prestigious awards (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay.)
If you're not familiar, Parasite is a film sympathizing with a family of scamming grifters who refuse to work, and eventually through clever social manipulation figure out a way for the entire family to live a parasitic existence off a successful family.
"The slum-dwelling Kim family run scams from their filthy, bug-infested hovel. They pose as servants to the wealthy corporate executive Park family — the son as a tutor, the daughter as an art therapist, the father as a chauffeur, and the mother as housekeeper — and then exploit their employers’ trust."
It's a movie that (quote) "targets and humiliates the wealthy, high-living entrepreneurs while sentimentalizing and sympathizing with the dishonest, corrupt agitators who angle to swindle them."
The film (slated to also become a sitcom) comedically explores topics such as 'the folly of meritocracy,' and how those in positions of power are unqualified for their roles.
From Forbes:
"In his inner monologue, [the father] Ki-woo mentions that neither the doctor or detective look suited to their positions, and the detective's childish uncertainty hints that perhaps he really is out of his depth. The absurdity of society, the myth of the meritocracy, have been laid bare to Ki-woo; perhaps everyone is faking it, to a certain extent, just as he and his family once did.
The film seems to be questioning the notion of education, intelligence and determination providing class mobility. Is success truly organic, or is it mostly due to the circumstances of one’s birth? Some of the best scenes in the film show the Kim’s barely concealing their deception, keeping it together in front of the eternally oblivious Parks.
I think these scenes highlight something that many of us feel, that the world is filled with people (especially those that hold powerful positions of authority), that simply aren’t “qualified” for their role. "
The absolute worst part about this? The reception it's received. It sits atop metactitics "Best Movies of 2019" list
It also won the most prestigious award at the Cannes Film Festival, on top of the four Oscars:
You can watch the first 10 minutes here:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNFdGfouBh0
It's amazing that these are the current sentiments of Americans.
Okay, fair post. I have seen it, but it admittedly didn't get my full attention after the first 20 minutes because I was so turned off by the beginning: which seemed to be glorifying (or at least wanting you to sympathize with) their parasitic behavior. I'll give it another view and maybe post my thoughts.
Original post for posterity:
Last month's Academy Awards had one very big winner. The comedic social commentary "Parasite" won 4 very prestigious awards (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay.)
If you're not familiar, Parasite is a film sympathizing with a family of scamming grifters who refuse to work, and eventually through clever social manipulation figure out a way for the entire family to live a parasitic existence off a successful family.
"The slum-dwelling Kim family run scams from their filthy, bug-infested hovel. They pose as servants to the wealthy corporate executive Park family — the son as a tutor, the daughter as an art therapist, the father as a chauffeur, and the mother as housekeeper — and then exploit their employers’ trust."
It's a movie that (quote) "targets and humiliates the wealthy, high-living entrepreneurs while sentimentalizing and sympathizing with the dishonest, corrupt agitators who angle to swindle them."
The film (slated to also become a sitcom) comedically explores topics such as 'the folly of meritocracy,' and how those in positions of power are unqualified for their roles.
From Forbes:
"In his inner monologue, [the father] Ki-woo mentions that neither the doctor or detective look suited to their positions, and the detective's childish uncertainty hints that perhaps he really is out of his depth. The absurdity of society, the myth of the meritocracy, have been laid bare to Ki-woo; perhaps everyone is faking it, to a certain extent, just as he and his family once did.
The film seems to be questioning the notion of education, intelligence and determination providing class mobility. Is success truly organic, or is it mostly due to the circumstances of one’s birth? Some of the best scenes in the film show the Kim’s barely concealing their deception, keeping it together in front of the eternally oblivious Parks.
I think these scenes highlight something that many of us feel, that the world is filled with people (especially those that hold powerful positions of authority), that simply aren’t “qualified” for their role. "
Parasite: Antifa Comedy for the Cancel-Culture Era | National Review
Bong Joon-ho laughs at family and social ruin.
www.nationalreview.com
The absolute worst part about this? The reception it's received. It sits atop metactitics "Best Movies of 2019" list
It also won the most prestigious award at the Cannes Film Festival, on top of the four Oscars:
You can watch the first 10 minutes here:
It's amazing that these are the current sentiments of Americans.
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum:
Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.
Last edited: